Kenji woke up the next morning with the soft glow of dawn filtering through his bedroom window. He blinked groggily, trying to shake off the remnants of a restless night. Beside him, Gastly floated lazily in the air, its form barely visible in the early light.
Kenji sighed and sat up, rubbing his face. Sleep had eluded him for most of the night as thoughts churned in his mind. He had missed the job interview, but he didn’t care any more. The events of the previous day—the rescue, the battle, the decision to take Gastly in—had all left him with a sense of purpose he hadn’t felt in years. But with that purpose came a heavy question: was he really ready to become a Pokémon Trainer again?
“You stayed up all night thinking too, huh?” Kenji murmured, glancing at Gastly.
Gastly’s eyes opened fully, and it let out a low hum, nodding slightly as if to confirm that it had sensed Kenji’s unease.
Kenji sighed, leaning back against the headboard. “I never thought I’d be here again—considering this. After what happened with Bulbasaur, I swore I’d never go back to being a Trainer. But yesterday… it reminded me of what it felt like to help Pokémon, to protect them, to feel the adrenaline. And if there’s a chance to stop those people from hurting more Pokémon… maybe I have to try.”
Gastly floated closer, its presence comforting. It seemed to understand Kenji’s conflict, its eyes filled with a quiet determination.
“I guess with you by my side, I’d have a chance,” Kenji said, managing a small smile. “We could get stronger together.”
The sound of footsteps in the hallway broke through Kenji’s thoughts, and a moment later, his mother knocked lightly on the door before peeking inside.
“Kenji, are you up? I heard you talking,” she said, her voice warm and concerned.
“Yeah, I’m up,” Kenji replied, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. “Come on in.”
His mother entered the room, her eyes immediately falling on Gastly. She smiled, her expression softening. “So, this is your new friend? He’s been quite the topic of conversation between your father and me since last night.”
“What? You noticed?” Kenji sighed and nodded. “This is Gastly. He… helped me out a lot yesterday.”
Gastly floated closer to Kenji’s mother, who extended a hand toward the ghost-type. Gastly responded with a gentle, almost playful nudge against her palm, making her laugh softly.
“He’s lovely,” she said, her eyes twinkling with approval. “And it’s good to see you with a Pokémon again, Kenji. Your father and I were so worried when you came home all those years ago, but seeing you like this… it feels right.”
Kenji’s heart swelled with a mix of emotion and gratitude. “I’m still figuring it out, but I think… I think I’m ready to try again. And not just for me, but to get stronger and help stop whatever these evil people are doing to Pokémon.”
“I don't have a clue what you're talking about, but i’m happy for you.” His mother’s smile widened, and she reached out to gently squeeze his shoulder. “We’re proud of you, Kenji. And I know you’ll be an even better Trainer this time around.”
His father entered the room then, carrying a small box. He gave Kenji a nod of approval before glancing at Gastly, who hovered protectively near Kenji’s side.
“You were always meant to be a Trainer, son,” his father said, his voice steady. “And it looks like you’ve already got a strong partner in Gastly. I found these in storage this morning.” He opened the box, revealing five of his old, empty Poké Balls nestled inside. “I thought you might need them again.”
Kenji’s eyes widened slightly as he reached out to take one of the Poké Balls. It felt familiar in his hand, a reminder of the dreams he’d put away so long ago.
“Thanks, Dad,” Kenji said quietly. He looked at Gastly, who was watching him expectantly. “What do you say, Gastly? Want to make this official?”
Gastly’s eyes brightened, and it let out a pleased hum, clearly eager.
With a smile, Kenji pressed the button on the Poké Ball, opening it in front of Gastly. The ghost-type Pokémon was enveloped in a bright light, drawn into the ball with ease. The ball clicked shut almost immediately, signaling the successful capture.
Kenji stared at the Poké Ball in his hand, feeling a surge of emotion. It wasn’t just a capture—it was a commitment, a promise to himself and to Gastly.
He released Gastly back into the room, the ghost-type materializing in front of him with a delighted spin.
“Welcome to the team,” Kenji said, his smile widening. “Now, let’s go make it even more official!”
After a quick breakfast, Kenji and his parents headed out, with Gastly floating happily by Kenji’s side. The Celadon City Trainer Registration Office wasn’t far, and as they walked, Kenji felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement building in his chest. The sun was rising higher now, casting a warm glow over the city as it began to come alive with the hustle and bustle of the morning.
When they arrived at the registration office, Kenji took a deep breath and stepped inside. The office was bright and clean, with a friendly receptionist who welcomed them with a smile.
“Good morning! Here to register as a Pokémon Trainer?” she asked cheerfully.
Kenji nodded. “Yes, I’d like to get my Trainer ID.”
“Wonderful!” The receptionist handed him a form to fill out. “Just fill this out with your details and we’ll get you all set up. Who’s your starter Pokémon?”
Kenji smiled at Gastly, who floated close by. “This is Gastly. He’ll be my starter.”
The receptionist’s eyes lit up with interest. “A Gastly, how unique! It looks like you two already share a strong bond.”
Kenji filled out the form quickly and handed it back. The receptionist took it and input the information into her computer.
“Just a moment, and we’ll have your Trainer ID ready,” she said, typing away.
Kenji’s parents stood beside him, watching with pride as he waited. His mother reached out and gently squeezed his hand. “You’re doing the right thing, Kenji.”
“I hope so,” Kenji replied, though deep down, he felt more certain with each passing moment.
Within minutes, the receptionist handed him a small card. “Here you go—your official Trainer ID. Congratulations, Kenji!”
Kenji took the card and looked at it. His name and photo were printed neatly on it, along with Gastly’s details as his registered starter Pokémon. The sight of it filled him with a sense of purpose.
“Thanks,” Kenji said, slipping the card into his pocket. He turned to Gastly, who was bobbing in the air excitedly. “Looks like we’re official now.”
Gastly let out a happy sound, and Kenji couldn’t help but laugh. It felt good—right—to be taking this step. He knew there would be challenges ahead, but for the first time in a long time, he felt ready to face them.
As they left the registration office, Kenji looked up at the sky, the sun now fully risen, casting its light over the city. He had no idea what the future held, but with Gastly by his side and his family supporting him, he knew he was ready to take it on.
“Let’s go, Gastly,” Kenji said, feeling a new fire ignite in his heart. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Kenji's parents, beaming with pride, gave their son a final hug before heading back home. "Remember, we’re always here if you need anything," his mother said warmly.
"Take care, son. You’ve got this," his father added, clapping Kenji on the shoulder.
"Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad," Kenji replied, waving as they walked away. Once they were out of sight, Kenji turned to Gastly, who floated eagerly beside him. “Well, I guess it’s just you and me now.”
Gastly hummed in agreement, spinning around Kenji in a playful circle.
“First things first,” Kenji said, eyeing the coffee stand across the street. “I could use some caffeine.”
A few minutes later, Kenji was sitting on a bench in the nearby park, an iced coffee in hand. The cool drink was refreshing, and he took a deep sip as Gastly bobbed up and down next to him. The park was peaceful, with the morning sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
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Pulling out his phone, Kenji decided to download the Pokédex app. “Let’s see what we’re working with,” he muttered, waiting for the app to finish installing. Once it was done, he opened it and logged in, creating his new profile.
The screen displayed his basic information:
Trainer Profile
Wins: 0
Losses: 0
Badges: 0
Pokémon Caught: 1
Pokémon Seen: 1
Kenji chuckled softly. “Well, everyone’s got to start somewhere, right, Gastly?”
Gastly let out a soft, cheerful sound in response.
Kenji then navigated to Gastly’s stats. The screen displayed the ghost-type’s details:
Gastly
Level: 8
Moves: Confuse Ray, Lick, Hypnosis, Mean Look
Nature: Relaxed
“Not bad, Gastly. We’ve got a solid start here,” Kenji said, impressed. “But we’ll need to get stronger if we’re going to take on any bad guys or Gym Leaders.”
Gastly gave an enthusiastic nod, clearly ready for the challenge.
“Alright,” Kenji said, standing up and finishing his coffee. “Let’s get some supplies. We’re going to need to be prepared for whatever comes next.”
The nearest Poké Mart wasn’t far, so Kenji and Gastly made their way over, the automatic doors sliding open as they approached. Inside, the store was well-stocked with rows of potions, Poké Balls, and various other supplies. Kenji grabbed a basket and began picking up the essentials: a couple of Potions, some Antidotes, and a few Poké Balls.
As he browsed, he couldn’t help but overhear a group of young trainers talking animatedly by the counter.
“Did you hear about what happened last night?” one of them, a boy with a cap pulled low over his eyes, was saying.
“Yeah,” replied a girl with bright green hair. “Apparently, some guys from a team called Team Rocket got busted trying to steal Pokémon from the city!”
Kenji’s ears perked up at the mention of Team Rocket. “Team Rocket huh?” He casually moved a little closer, pretending to examine some items on a nearby shelf.
“No way, Team Rocket? Here in Celadon?” another boy, wearing a backpack, asked in disbelief.
“Yeah, I heard they were using Koffing and Voltorb to cause a distraction while they nabbed some Pokémon,” the girl continued. “But someone managed to stop them—some guy with a Gastly. Pretty cool, huh?”
Kenji felt a jolt of surprise. *They’re talking about me,* he realized, though he kept his expression neutral. Gastly, hovering nearby, seemed to catch on as well, glancing at Kenji with a proud gleam in its eye.
“That’s wild,” the boy in the cap said. “I bet Team Rocket’s going to try something even bigger next time. They’re not the type to just give up.”
The trainers continued their conversation, but Kenji had heard enough. He picked up the last of the items he needed and headed to the counter, where the cashier rang him up.
“That’ll be 3,500 PokéDollars,” the cashier said cheerfully.
Kenji paid and thanked the cashier, then exited the store, his mind racing with what he’d just overheard. Outside, he took a moment to gather his thoughts.
“Looks like we’re not done with Team Rocket just yet,” Kenji said, turning to Gastly. “If they’re really that dangerous, we’ll need to be ready for anything.”
Gastly nodded solemnly, its usual playful demeanor replaced by a more serious expression.
Kenji looked down at the supplies he’d bought, feeling a sense of determination settle over him. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, but I think we’re ready for it. Together.”
Gastly floated closer, its presence a comforting reminder that Kenji wasn’t alone in this.
With supplies in hand and a plan forming in his mind, Kenji knew what his next step had to be. If he was going to face Team Rocket and protect Pokémon, he needed to be stronger. And there was only one place he could think of to truly begin again—Pewter City, where his journey had first gone wrong all those years ago.
Kenji turned to Gastly, who floated beside him, radiating quiet determination. “Gastly, we need to start our Gym challenge from the beginning. That means heading back to Pewter City and facing Brock. I need to make peace with what happened there, and this time… this time we’ll be ready.”
Gastly’s eyes glowed with understanding and resolve. It floated closer to Kenji, as if to say, *I’m with you.*
“Alright then,” Kenji said, a fire igniting in his chest. “Let’s do this.”
He pulled out his phone and quickly booked a ride on the Pidgeot Taxi service, a popular mode of transportation that was both fast and reliable. Within minutes, a large taxi pod arrived, carried by two majestic Pidgeot, their wings beating powerfully as they descended from the sky. The pod was sleek and streamlined, designed to be aerodynamic as the Pidgeot soared through the air. It was painted in a deep blue with the service’s logo on the side—a stylized Pidgeot in mid-flight.
Kenji couldn’t help but admire the grace and strength of the Pidgeot as they landed lightly on the ground in front of him. The taxi pod door slid open with a quiet hiss, and Kenji stepped inside, Gastly floating in behind him.
“Next stop, Pewter City,” Kenji said, settling into the comfortable seat as the door closed behind them.
The Pidgeot gave a powerful push off the ground, and soon they were soaring high above the rooftops of Celadon City. Kenji looked out the window, watching as the city quickly became a patchwork of buildings and streets below. The wind whipped around the pod, but inside, it was calm and quiet. Gastly hovered near Kenji, its round, gaseous form reflecting the light from outside.
As they flew, Kenji found his thoughts drifting back to the past—to the day he lost Bulbasaur. The memory was still painful, a deep wound that hadn’t fully healed. But now, with Gastly by his side, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. This wasn’t just about avenging Bulbasaur’s death; it was about facing his fears, letting go of the past, and becoming the Trainer he was always meant to be.
The flight was smooth and fast, and before long, the familiar sight of Pewter City came into view. The Pidgeot descended gracefully, and the taxi pod touched down just outside the city, near the entrance to the Viridian Forest.
Kenji stepped out, feeling a strange mix of nostalgia and determination as he looked around. The city hadn’t changed much—still quiet and rugged, nestled against the edge of the forest with the imposing Pewter Gym standing tall in the distance.
But before heading straight for the Gym, Kenji knew there was something else he needed to do first. He needed a stronger team, and that meant finding new Pokémon allies.
“Let’s head to Viridian Forest first, Gastly,” Kenji said, turning south towards the forest entrance. “If we’re going to take on Brock, we need more than just the two of us. Let’s find some strong teammates.”
Gastly nodded in agreement, and together they walked down the familiar path that led into the forest.
Viridian Forest was just as Kenji remembered it—lush and dense, with sunlight filtering through the canopy above. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, and the sounds of wild Pokémon filled the air. Every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig could be a potential encounter, and Kenji’s heart raced with anticipation.
“This place… it feels like it’s been forever since I was last here,” Kenji said softly, more to himself than to Gastly. “I was so full of hope back then, eager to catch my first Pokémon. Things are different now, but maybe that’s a good thing.”
Gastly floated closer, its eyes scanning the area as they walked deeper into the forest.
They hadn’t gone far when they heard a rustling in the bushes ahead. Kenji slowed his pace, signaling Gastly to stay alert. The rustling grew louder, and soon, a Caterpie emerged from the underbrush, its large eyes blinking curiously at the pair.
“Not quite what we’re looking for,” Kenji murmured with a small smile. “But maybe a little deeper in…”
They continued further into the forest, passing by a few more common Pokémon—Weedle, Pidgey, and even a Kakuna hanging from a tree. But none of these seemed quite right. Kenji was looking for something with more potential, a Pokémon that could hold its own against Brock’s rock-hard defenses.
Suddenly, there was a loud cry from above, and Kenji looked up just in time to see a Pidgeotto swooping down towards them, its wings spread wide and its talons glinting in the sunlight.
“Gastly, watch out!” Kenji called, stepping back as the Pidgeotto landed on the ground in front of them, its sharp eyes locking onto Gastly.
“This one could be perfect for the team,” Kenji said, his heart pounding with excitement. “Gastly, use Hypnosis!”
Gastly’s eyes glowed with a faint, eerie light as it locked eyes with Pidgeotto. The bird Pokémon’s movements slowed, its eyelids growing heavy as the Hypnosis took effect. Within moments, Pidgeotto was fast asleep, its head drooping as it stood still on the forest floor.
“Alright, now’s our chance!” Kenji said, reaching into his bag for a Poké Ball. He threw it with precision, the ball hitting Pidgeotto and pulling it inside in a flash of red light. The ball wobbled on the ground for a moment before coming to a stop with a satisfying *click*.
“Yes!” Kenji exclaimed, picking up the Poké Ball with a grin. “We’ve got our first new teammate, Gastly!”
Gastly floated around Kenji in a celebratory circle, clearly pleased with the successful capture.
“This is just the beginning,” Kenji said, pocketing Pidgeotto’s ball. “We’ll get stronger, and when we’re ready, we’ll take on Brock. This time, we’ll win—not just for us, but for Bulbasaur.”
With renewed determination, Kenji and Gastly continued deeper into the forest, ready to build a team strong enough to face any challenge that came their way.
As the day wore on, Kenji and his team delved deeper into Viridian Forest, searching tirelessly for another strong Pokémon to add to their team. The forest seemed endless, and after hours of trekking through the dense undergrowth, Kenji could feel the exhaustion starting to set in. Gastly floated beside him, still energetic but sensing his Trainer’s weariness.
Kenji decided it was time for a break. He and Gastly settled down on a fallen log, and he pulled out his phone to check Pidgeotto’s stats on the Pokédex app. The screen flickered to life, displaying the information about his newest team member.
Pidgeotto
Level: 18
Nature: Adamant
Moves: Gust, Quick Attack, Wing Attack, Sand Attack
Kenji smiled as he reviewed the stats. “Level 18 and Adamant nature? That’s perfect. Pidgeotto is going to be a powerhouse in our team.”
Gastly hummed in agreement, floating over to peer at the screen with interest.
“We’re building a strong team, Gastly. I can feel it,” Kenji said, his excitement renewed despite the fatigue.
After a few minutes of rest, Kenji stood up, ready to continue the search. “Let’s go find one more teammate before the day is over. We’re close—I can feel it.”
They pressed on, navigating through the dense forest as the light began to fade. Kenji’s eyes scanned the area, every rustle and shadow keeping him on high alert. The forest, which had once seemed so daunting, now felt like a challenge he was eager to overcome.
As they made their way through a particularly thick patch of trees, Kenji suddenly heard a distinct rustling in the bushes ahead. This rustling was different—more purposeful, like something strong was moving through the underbrush. Kenji’s heart skipped a beat.
“Gastly, get ready,” Kenji whispered, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the source of the sound.
Out from the bushes emerged a Pokémon Kenji had never expected to see—another Bulbasaur. But this one was different from the Bulbasaur he had started his journey with. It had a determined, fierce look in its eyes, and its bulb glowed with a soft, green light.
Kenji’s breath caught in his throat. The sight of the Bulbasaur stirred something deep within him—a mix of nostalgia, longing, and determination. This was the Pokémon that represented his past, his failures, and his lost potential. And now, standing before him was another chance, another opportunity to prove that he could be the Trainer he had always wanted to be.
“Bulbasaur…” Kenji whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. “This time, I won’t let you down.”
Bulbasaur seemed to sense Kenji’s determination, its eyes narrowing as it crouched, ready for a fight.
“This is it, Gastly,” Kenji said, his voice firm. “We’re going to catch Bulbasaur, no matter what.”
Gastly floated forward, eyes locked on the wild Bulbasaur. The tension in the air was palpable, and Kenji knew this battle was going to be tough.
“Gastly, use Hypnosis!” Kenji commanded, starting the battle with a familiar tactic.
Gastly’s eyes glowed with that same eerie light, and the Hypnosis beam shot toward Bulbasaur. But this Bulbasaur was quick—it dodged to the side, the Hypnosis missing by inches.
Bulbasaur retaliated immediately with a powerful Vine Whip, the vines lashing out at Gastly with surprising speed. Gastly managed to dodge the first strike, but the second vine caught it off guard, hitting it squarely.
“Gastly!” Kenji shouted, concern in his voice.
Gastly shook off the blow, but Kenji could tell it was starting to wear down. Bulbasaur wasn’t going to go down easily.
“Alright, let’s try something else. Gastly, use Confuse Ray!”
Gastly summoned a swirling orb of chaotic energy, launching it at Bulbasaur. This time, the attack connected, and Bulbasaur’s movements became erratic as it succumbed to confusion.
“Now’s our chance!” Kenji yelled. “Pidgeotto, I choose you!”
He threw Pidgeotto’s Poké Ball, and in a flash of light, the bird Pokémon appeared, its wings flaring wide as it took to the air.
“Pidgeotto, use Quick Attack!”
Pidgeotto darted forward with blinding speed, striking Bulbasaur head-on. The attack hit hard, but Bulbasaur, despite its confusion, managed to retaliate with a Razor Leaf, the sharp leaves slicing through the air toward Pidgeotto.
“Dodge it!” Kenji commanded, but the leaves were too fast. Pidgeotto took a hit, but it quickly shook it off, circling above Bulbasaur, ready for the next command.
Kenji’s heart pounded in his chest. This Bulbasaur was strong—stronger than he had expected. But that only made him want to catch it even more.
“Pidgeotto, use Wing Attack!” Kenji ordered, deciding to go for a more powerful move.
Pidgeotto’s wings glowed as it swooped down, slamming into Bulbasaur with a fierce Wing Attack. Bulbasaur staggered, the confusion causing it to stumble, but it wasn’t down yet. It let out a determined cry, summoning its strength to launch one final Vine Whip.
The vines lashed out, striking Pidgeotto mid-air and knocking it back. But Pidgeotto, ever resilient, quickly recovered, hovering in the air with a defiant cry.
“Bulbasaur… you’re incredible,” Kenji murmured, awed by the Pokémon’s strength and spirit. “But I have to catch you. I need you on our team!”
Kenji reached into his bag and pulled out a Poké Ball, his hands trembling slightly with anticipation. “Poké Ball, go!”
He threw the Poké Ball with all his might, and it flew straight toward Bulbasaur. The ball struck Bulbasaur, pulling it inside in a flash of red light. The ball landed on the ground, shaking violently as Bulbasaur fought to break free.
Kenji held his breath, his entire body tensed with anticipation. The ball wobbled once… twice… three times…
Then, with a final *click*, it stilled.
Kenji stared at the Poké Ball, hardly able to believe it. “We did it… we caught Bulbasaur!” he exclaimed, rushing forward to pick up the ball.
Gastly floated around Kenji excitedly, and Pidgeotto landed beside him, letting out a proud cry.
Kenji held the Poké Ball close to his chest, feeling the weight of the moment. “Bulbasaur… I promise, I’ll make sure nothing ever happens to you. Together, we’re going to be unstoppable.”
Tears pricked at the corners of Kenji’s eyes, but he quickly wiped them away, a fierce determination settling in his heart. He had faced his past, and now, with Bulbasaur, Gastly, and Pidgeotto by his side, he was ready to take on the future—starting with Pewter Gym.
As they made their way out of the forest, the setting sun casting long shadows across the path, Kenji knew that this was just the beginning of their journey. And this time, he wouldn’t be held back by fear or doubt. Together, they would become stronger than ever before.